Mathematical model for mixing index in gas–solid fluidized bed: an analysis

Abstract

An available theoretical model for mixing index in gas-solid fluidized bed has been analyzed for further modification and improvement. Assumption of 50% bed material moving in the upward direction and rest 50% in the downward direction considered for the above model (the counter-flow circulation model) has been analyzed for optimum result. A computer program was run for different bed conditions by varying operating parameters, namely, the mixture composition, fractions of bed materials, minimum fluidization velocity of the jetsam particles and that of the bed materials (i.e. mixture of the jetsam and the flotsam particles). The developed model was solved by finite difference (central differencing). Fraction of the bed material moving in the upward direction was varied from 0 to 100% and the minimum fluidization velocity was varied within the U mf of the flotsam to that of the jetsam particles (i.e. 0.465-1.0335 m/s). Optimum fraction of bed materials with respect to its distribution (as per the earlier proposed model) in the upward and downward streams during the fluidization process was found to be 20 and 80%, respectively. The modified model was validated by conducting experiments on fluidization and studying the mixing characteristics of regular homogeneous materials (sago) in a 15 × 100 cm cylindrical column. Fairly good agreement was observed between the values of mixing index obtained from the proposed modified model and the experimental observations. 